About storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan, regional, & national storytelling organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit the Bulletin Board page for the latest information.
An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of the email newsletter, "MI Story."

www.MichiganStorytelling.org
Free Since 2001

June 1, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

Calling all Storytellers! The Detroit Story League cordially invites you to join us for A Gathering of Michigan Storytellers on Saturday, July 11 from 12:00-4:00 at the Farmington Branch Library. Complete information below.

Register now for the National Storytelling Conference. July 29 - August 2. Kansas City, Missouri, www.storynet.org

MI Story is now on Facebook. Search #MIStorytelling in the search box or visit https://www.facebook.com/judy.sima1 to find the latest MI Story post – and please SHARE with all your Facebook friends.

June 3, Mt Pleasant 6:45-8:00 p.m.Mid-Michigan Area Storytellers (MAST): Welcomes new members to
their monthly meeting, at the Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant.
301 South University Avenue. Info: Joe Remenar jremenar66@yahoo.com

June 4, Detroit 4:30 p.m. doors open/7:00 p.m. stories begin
The monthly Moth Story Slam located at the bar Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park
Avenue, Detroit thanks to WDET 101.9. Prepare a 5 minute story on the
theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up
and tell your true personal story live without notes. Volunteers from
the audience judge the stories. Note: adults only. Info: www.theMoth.org Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door. This month’s theme is: “Chemistry.”

June 10, Muskegon 7:00-9:00 p.m.Muskegon Yarnspinners: welcome new members at their monthly
meetings from October through May at the Hope Reformed Church, 1878
Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston). Monthly meetings
continue from June through September at members' homes. Contact Ned
Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

June 11, Ann Arbor 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Come and lend an ear to the old tales and new ones too at an evening of
stories for grownups. At Crazy Wisdom Tea Room, 114 S. Main St. Enjoy
yummy desserts, exotic teas, or light supper while listening to Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild members. Info: www.facebook.com/annarborstorytellers

June 19, Ann Arbor 6:00 p.m. doors open/7:30 p.m. stories begin
Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at Circus
Bar, 210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5
minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name
is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live without
notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Info: www.theMoth.org Note:
adults only. Language and topics are often unsuitable for children.
Tickets $8 at the door. This month’s theme is: “Backfired.”

June 20, Detroit 10:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.
3 ½ years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, on
June 19, 1865 the people of Texas were notified that all slaves were
free. The Detroit Association of Black Storytellers celebrate and the
Community Present commemorates the event with a Family Day “Juneteenth”
Celebration at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History
with storytelling, singing, cake walk, demonstrations and activities for
children. All activities are free. 315 E Warren Ave. info@detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com

June 26-28, Boyne City
Woodsmoke Jim and Riverlark Mary Couling will be featured storytellers
at Elvyn Lea Lodge during the “Gathering of Friends," The Coulings’ wide
repertoire draws upon their Celtic roots, love of history and theater,
and experiences leading their Twilight Walking Tours in Michigan's Upper
Peninsula. They will perform on Saturday and be available during the
weekend to provide guidance to those wanting to learn about ways to tell
their own stories. Music on Saturday will be coordinated by Russell
Drake of Waterway Music, showcasing the new talent of northern Michigan
in a casual, “open mic” format. Storytellers and musicians both
seasoned and new are welcome to join in for this informal weekend of fun
and fellowship. Come and share a story or a song, or simply enjoy
listening and relaxing in the beautiful natural setting of the lodge and
grounds. Lodging is available on site. For details and reservations
visit http://www.elvynlea.com or call 231/535-2475.

June 27, Detroit 10:00 am-12:00 p.m.Detroit Association of Black Storytellers invites you to attend
their monthly meeting at the Charles Wright Museum of African American
History, 315 E Warren Ave. Join us for a story, workshop, refreshments
and business meeting. www.detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com or call Pam Williams: 248-836-7499. New members welcome.

June 27, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

July 4, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

July 7 - Belleville 11:00 a.m.
"Unexpected Heroes" Join award-winning storyteller Barbara Schutzgruber
as she tells tales and sings ballads of gutsy girls, wise women,
tricksters, and fools who use courage, wisdom, wit, and just dumb luck
to win the day! Part of Belleville Area District Library's Summer
Reading Program, 167 Fourth St. http://www.belleville.lib.mi.us or call 734- 699-3291 for more information.

July 8 - Watervliet 11:00 a.m.
"Unexpected Heroes" Join award-winning storyteller Barbara Schutzgruber
as she tells tales and sings ballads of gutsy girls, wise women,
tricksters, and fools who use courage, wisdom, wit, and just dumb luck
to win the day! Part of Watervliet District Library's Summer Reading
Program, 333 N. Main St. http://www.watervlietlibrary.net or call 269-463-6382 for more information.

July 8, Mt Pleasant 6:45-8:00 p.m.Mid-Michigan Area Storytellers (MAST): Welcomes new members to
their monthly meeting, at the Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant.
301 South University Avenue. Info: Joe Remenar jremenar66@yahoo.com

July 11, Farmington 12:00-4:00 p.m.Gathering of Michigan Storytellershosted
by the Detroit Story League at the Farmington Branch Library, 23500
Liberty Street . Bring a bag lunch, we’ll provide drinks, snacks and
desserts. Network with storytellers from around the state. Hear updates
on national, regional and local storytelling groups. Learn how to grow
your membership. Swap a favorite 7-minute story. There is no cost but
you must RSVP. For more information or to RSVP email: Judy@JudySima.com. 248-644-3951.

July 11th, Inkster 1:00 p.m.
Families are welcome to come to the Leanna Hicks Inkster Public Library
for ‏Gwen Lewis’ “Every Hero Has A Story” Storytelling program for some
fun hero stories and crafts. 2005 Inkster RD. 313-563-2822

July 11, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

July 18, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

July 25, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

July 29-Aug 2, Kansas City, Missouri
The National Storytelling Conference: Michigan's Barbara Schutzgruber
teams up with Minnesota's Dorothy Cleveland to present their workshop
"Beyond the Sword Maiden: The Heroine's Journey as Story Structure" at
the National Storytelling Conference. Judy Sima will join two other
storyteller/educators in a panel discussion on youth storytelling at the
Youth, Educators, Storytellers Alliance Pre-Conference on Wednesday.
For the full schedule of preconference and conference events go to http://www.storynet.org

August 1, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

August 8, Gladwin 2:30 -4:00 p.m.
Relax in the shade and enjoy folktales, fairy tales, and fables for all
ages told by the Mid-Michigan Area Story Tellers. The Mainstreet
Misfits, a local musical group, will also entertain with music from days
gone by. In case of rain, the program will be held in the barn. Please
bring your friends and join us! August 9th 2:00-3:30 pm Stone Cottage
Gardens, 3740 Willford Rd. 48624 For info. contact Carol Garner at sdcagarner@yahoo.com or 989-506-8829

August 8, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

August 15, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

August 18, Grand Rapids 7:00-9:00 p.m.StorySpinners of GrandRapids welcomes new members to their monthly meeting in members’ homes call Gloria Cangelosi for more information storyspinnersgr@gmail.com

August 22, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

August 29, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm
Bring a story, poem or song to celebrate Stone Circle’ s 32th
summer of gatherings around a fire in a unique outdoor setting. Hosted
by poet bard, Terry Wooten. Sit under a canopy of stars perched on a
boulder, or bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the ever-changing variety
of entertainment that is woven throughout the evening. Regular admission
is $5/adults, $3/kids.Stone Circle is located 20 miles north of Elk
Rapids, then right on Stone Circle Drive. Info: stonecir@aol.com or 231-264-9467 or terry-wooten.com.

WELCOME!

Here you will find information about storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan storytelling, national, & regional organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit theBulletin Board page for the latest information.

An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of MI Story. MI Story is published by: Yvonne Healy, Editor-in-Chief; Judy Sima, Distribution Editor; Lois Sprengnether Keel, Webmaster.

To view the current issue or a past issue of MI Story, click on the Recent Posts of interest.

51% or greater Spoken Word/Narrative;

open to the General Public;

feature either Michigan storyteller or Michigan location.

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Transition of MI Story Archive

This site has moved to Blogger while keeping the domain name of http://www.michiganstorytelling.org . Because all issues prior to this move were added at one time, the listing of the first two years' issues is misleading. To find each individual month for those initial two years, look under April, 2010.

About Me

For the best overview of my work, go to my website at http://www.LoiS-sez.com, however you will find me in many places beyond that!

My storytelling takes you Around the World & Back Through Time with folktales to match your topic or historical reenactments. While most of my storytelling has been in Michigan, I've told in other states, the territory of Puerto Rico, plus Canada, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, & St. Kitts. My Theatre undergraduate degree influences my storytelling & graduate degree in Library Science leads me to research widely. Starting in 1970, I've years of storytelling experience. Until 2006, this was combined with librarianship. That year I was accepted into the MI performing arts touring directory & left Mount Clemens Public Library (where I was in charge of Children's Services) for full-time storytelling. My current listing with MI Arts & Humanities Directory was renewed & runs through 2018. My passion for supporting storytelling includes storytelling organizations, hosting http://MichiganStorytelling.org & founded Mt.C. Raconteurs & North Oakland County Storytellers, serving their 1st 2 yrs. as president. I was also a long-time active member of Flint Area Story Tellers. FAST and the Raconteurs are currently dormant. I also love to teach storytelling. I believe exposure to storytelling is critical to the acceptance of this art & foundational to language skills. Online I am an assistant administrator for the international network of storytellers at http://professionalstoryteller.ning.com. I'm the National Storytelling Network's Michigan State Liaison and for many years was on the Board of Youth, Educators, Storytellers (Y.E.S.!) Alliance as their webmaster. I also am a certified WordWeaving instructor, a teaching method especially suited to teachers & librarians, but useful for any beginning storytellers. I've training from V.S.A. Arts & have done both residency & special event work for this organization focused on bringing the arts to the disabled. I wrote a portion of the book, Tell the World; Storytelling Across Language Barriers, compiled & edited by Margaret Read MacDonald. My chapter was about telling with Sign Language.

Besides my website there's my blog of research topics related to my work at Storytelling + Research = LoiS and now includes a Civil War Sesquicentennial blog, Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Infantry, where I posted the newspaper articles about this regiment which has been little documented, but was part of the reason Abraham Lincoln said "Thank God for Michigan!" as they engaged in most major battles of the Civil War. I hope you visit both the blog and my website, http://www.LoiS-sez.com.